The foolishness of pride

Please read to the end, you will thank me later.

I have always known that pride is a product of ignorance. But the realization hit me deeper in the course of the outgoing week. As I was reviewing the numbers for one of Teva Foods operations, it occurred to me that we will be pumping 4.3 million litres of water per annum to grow 22,800 bellpepper plants in just one of our farm estates.

While I was challenging the team on the need to research for ways to grow food with less water, as we approach the predictions of Mark 13:8, it just hit me like a thunderstorm. In one second, I fully realised the foolishness of pride.

As someone who works hard to mobilise land, capital, technology and human resources. And then combines these critical factors of production in a way that achieves the business objective, it can be tempting to focus on the hard work we put in. And once attention goes to the resourcefulness of man, the resourcefulness of the invisible Creator begins to pale.

Yes, I can easily see the efforts it takes us to pump and retriculate 4.3 million litres of water per year. But who ensures that the 4.3 million litres of water is there for me to pump out of the earth in the first place?

Perhaps, in an attempt to console me, the team reminded me about vaporisation, recharge of water, and how all that water gets recycled eventually. All these are true. But I couldn’t get my mind off the Man in heaven whose command ensures that the water is there in the first place, and that it replenishes itself.

Beyond water, I need to harness the energy of the sun to achieve my agric-business objectives. Per analysis, we’ll be drawing 1.72 Gigawat Hour of energy from the sun to achieve photosynthesis in just one of our farms. And God generates this energy for us freely.

I don’t want to calculate the energy and the chemical reactions needed by nature to supply fresh air that will support plant life. I have a lot of friends who conserve their usage of air conditioning units or heater in order to lower their electricity bills.

But have you really considered what it takes for natural breeze to circulate throughout the whole earth? Have you asked yourself the quantum of chemical reactions needed for the air to recycle and purify itself? Have you ever been in a situation when it feels as if all the air went on vacation? Have you calculated the energy consumption of the giant invisible fan that blows wind around the earth?

Brothers and sisters, pride is only a by-product of ignorance laced with foolishness.

As hardworking men and women, it’s easy to see just our own side of the efforts. But what is easy to miss is God’s unique contribution in all of this. Apart from the popular gift of life, health and sound mind, if you critically study your business operations, you will see the amount of God’s resources you freely spend daily to achieve your goals.

There is no self-made man. There is no self-made millionaire or billionaire. Man, has no reason to be arrogant. Man has no reason for not bending the knee in the worship of this awesome God.

I have been mourning and repenting of every way I have not properly acknowledged God for all my outcomes. 😭😭

What about you?

Chima Christian
Co-founder/CEO, Teva Foods